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School grieves for lost classmates

Vandebilt Catholic teammates of T.J. Cantrelle and Ian Haydel gather Monday where Cantrelle's truck ran
off La. 182 early Sunday, killing the two boys as well as classmates Gabrielle Hebert and Megan Hitt.

Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.

HOUMA — On Friday night, Vandebilt Catholic High School students were cheering the Terriers to victory at Buddy Marcello Stadium in Houma. Starting quarterback James “T.J.” Cantrelle, 17, and defensive back Ian Haydel, 15, were among the players they rooted for.

Many of the same students were together again Monday afternoon near a broken guard rail in Bayou Blue, this time to mourn Cantrelle and Haydel, as well as Megan Hitt and Gabrielle Hebert, both 17, who were killed when the pickup they were riding in crashed into St. Louis Canal early Sunday morning.

Monday was a solemn day at Vandebilt and for many in the community. The school held a Mass to mourn and remember the students. Parents, alumni, priests and seminarians showed up as well.

“There were three seniors in the car, so a lot of students probably knew all of them,” said David Keife, president of Vandebilt. “For us it's real. It's such a tragedy.”

Vandebilt has canceled all sports matches this week, including Friday's football game at Hahnville. District games will be rescheduled.

A group of football players and friends gathered at crash site along La. 182 after school Monday and tried to come to terms with the tragedy.

“It really hasn't hit me yet,” said James Dennis III, 17, and a member of the football team. “I'm just in shock.”

The teens were found about 1:45 p.m. Sunday inside a pickup truck submerged in the canal between Bayou Blue and Coteau roads., ending an hours-long multi-parish search that started when they failed to return home from Saturday's LSU football game in Baton Rouge.

Police said the truck, which had been headed west on La. 182, ran off the road in a slight right-hand curve, crossed the oncoming lane, crashed through the rail and plunged upside down in the water. A GPS signal from one of the teen's cell phones led rescuers to the hard-to-find wreckage.

Authorities haven't released an official cause for the crash, but Cantrelle's father, James Cantrelle Jr., and grandfather, James Cantrelle Sr., said it appears Cantrelle fell asleep at the wheel. State Police say it's unknown whether alcohol played a role in the crash. Blood tests, required by law in all fatal wrecks, are pending.

As the teammates surveyed the site, they shared stories about what Haydel and Cantrelle were like, both on and off the field.

“I'm still waiting to wake up tomorrow and see them,” said Cody Doiron, 17, a senior linebacker.

To honor their fallen members, the jersey numbers of Cantrelle and Haydel, 9 and 16, respectively, were carved into the grass of the football field near the 50-yard line.

The team also plans to add stickers to their helmets: Cantrelle and Haydel's numbers and Hitt and Hebert's initials.

Keife said priests, counselors and faculty were on hand to help faculty members, staff and students cope with the losses.

“You can't expect too much to be done this week,” Keife said. “This is not an environment conducive to learning.”

Students will be able to talk to counselors throughout the week.

“We let the kids express wherever they're at in healthy ways,” said the Rev. Jerry Daniels, a school chaplain. “There can be a lot of anger, and that acts as blockage.”

The process will take time and Keife said it will be a while before things get back to anything close to normal.

“It takes a lot of time, tears and grieving before this can be healed,” Keife said.

Staff writer Eric Heisig can be reached at 857-2202 or eric.heisig@houmatoday.com.

<p>HOUMA — On Friday night, Vandebilt Catholic High School students were cheering the Terriers to victory at Buddy Marcello Stadium in Houma. Starting quarterback James “T.J.” Cantrelle, 17, and defensive back Ian Haydel, 15, were among the players they rooted for.</p><p>Many of the same students were together again Monday afternoon near a broken guard rail in Bayou Blue, this time to mourn Cantrelle and Haydel, as well as Megan Hitt and Gabrielle Hebert, both 17, who were killed when the pickup they were riding in crashed into St. Louis Canal early Sunday morning.</p><p>Monday was a solemn day at Vandebilt and for many in the community. The school held a Mass to mourn and remember the students. Parents, alumni, priests and seminarians showed up as well.</p><p>“There were three seniors in the car, so a lot of students probably knew all of them,” said David Keife, president of Vandebilt. “For us it's real. It's such a tragedy.”</p><p>Vandebilt has canceled all sports matches this week, including Friday's football game at Hahnville. District games will be rescheduled.</p><p>A group of football players and friends gathered at crash site along La. 182 after school Monday and tried to come to terms with the tragedy.</p><p>“It really hasn't hit me yet,” said James Dennis III, 17, and a member of the football team. “I'm just in shock.” </p><p>The teens were found about 1:45 p.m. Sunday inside a pickup truck submerged in the canal between Bayou Blue and Coteau roads., ending an hours-long multi-parish search that started when they failed to return home from Saturday's LSU football game in Baton Rouge.</p><p>Police said the truck, which had been headed west on La. 182, ran off the road in a slight right-hand curve, crossed the oncoming lane, crashed through the rail and plunged upside down in the water. A GPS signal from one of the teen's cell phones led rescuers to the hard-to-find wreckage.</p><p>Authorities haven't released an official cause for the crash, but Cantrelle's father, James Cantrelle Jr., and grandfather, James Cantrelle Sr., said it appears Cantrelle fell asleep at the wheel. State Police say it's unknown whether alcohol played a role in the crash. Blood tests, required by law in all fatal wrecks, are pending.</p><p> As the teammates surveyed the site, they shared stories about what Haydel and Cantrelle were like, both on and off the field.</p><p>“I'm still waiting to wake up tomorrow and see them,” said Cody Doiron, 17, a senior linebacker.</p><p>To honor their fallen members, the jersey numbers of Cantrelle and Haydel, 9 and 16, respectively, were carved into the grass of the football field near the 50-yard line.</p><p>The team also plans to add stickers to their helmets: Cantrelle and Haydel's numbers and Hitt and Hebert's initials.</p><p>Keife said priests, counselors and faculty were on hand to help faculty members, staff and students cope with the losses.</p><p>“You can't expect too much to be done this week,” Keife said. “This is not an environment conducive to learning.”</p><p>Students will be able to talk to counselors throughout the week.</p><p>“We let the kids express wherever they're at in healthy ways,” said the Rev. Jerry Daniels, a school chaplain. “There can be a lot of anger, and that acts as blockage.”</p><p>The process will take time and Keife said it will be a while before things get back to anything close to normal.</p><p>“It takes a lot of time, tears and grieving before this can be healed,” Keife said.</p><p>Staff writer Eric Heisig can be reached at 857-2202 or eric.heisig@houmatoday.com.</p>